21 | Mastering Your Rental Returns

Welcome back to Espressold — where real estate meets real life (with coffee in hand ). In this episode, Annie and Paula break down exactly how to analyze cash flow on a rental property, especially in Calgary and across Alberta’s fast-shifting market.Whether you're eyeing a duplex in Airdrie or a downtown condo, knowing your numbers is non-negotiable. This episode offers a practical, six-step framework to make sure your next investment actually makes sense — not just on paper, but in real life.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Step 1: Start With Gross RentHow to find realistic rent numbers using tools like Rentfaster, Facebook Marketplace, and PadMapper — without falling into the “top of the market” trap. Step 2: Subtract Fixed ExpensesMortgage, taxes, insurance, condo fees, and utilities — we outline everything to include in your base calculations. Step 3: Account for Hidden CostsVacancy, maintenance, and property management can eat into your profit fast. Learn our rule-of-thumb percentages to budget properly. Step 4: Use the 5% Rule™Annie’s go-to method to quickly test a property’s sustainability — if your monthly cash flow isn’t 5% of the purchase price, it might not be worth it. Step 5: Run Stress Test ScenariosWhat happens when the market shifts or your rate rises? We walk you through the “what ifs” that smart investors prepare for. Step 6: Think Local – Alberta-Specific InsightsWhy Calgary’s landlord-friendly laws and seasonal rent swings matter — and how to keep your expectations grounded in reality.